Apparatus for mounting keys, pads and the like of musical instruments



May 8, 1956 T. M. ANDERSON Er AL 2,744,435

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING KEYS, PADS AND THE LIKE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed April 18. 1955 m O Y Ww M M %W ME fl Cu A 3%? OR H Y TBB May 8, 1956 T. M. ANDERSON ET Al. 2,744,435

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING KEYS, PADS AND THE LIKE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 18, 1955 INVENTORS. THOMAS M. ANDERSON BYRON E. GOOD W M A TTOR/VEY United States Patent 0 APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING KEYS, PADS AND THE LIKE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Thomas M. Anderson, Melrose Park, and Franklin Park, Ill.

Application April 18, 1955, set-m No. 501,762

16 Claims. (Cl. m ses This invention relates generally to improvements in the construction of musical instruments of the wind family such as a saxophone, clarinet, flute, piccolo, oboe, English horns and bassoons and the like, and more particularly to improved means for mounting and tensioning the rings, keys and pads or valves commonly included in such instruments.

Prior art instruments of this type are generally equipped with keys, rings and pads or valves which are arranged to be pivoted when it is desired to alter the tonal characteristics or pitch of the instrument. is varied by lengthening or shortening the length of the air column of the instrument, this being accomplished by manually pivoting the keys and pads or valves which normally are biased to cover and close tone holes connected with the main air column of the tone pipe or by covering with a finger a similar tone hole having associated therewith a ring. These keys, rings or pads are all mounted as levers with rods for fulcrums and are usually maintained in their stable or normal position by spring tension consisting of a bent piece of spring steel wire anchored at one end to a post utilized in rotatably or rockably supporting the rod and having its other end connected to a member forming a part of the rod. Through such an arrangement, the biasing effect of the spring is transmitted by the rod to the key, ring or pad to maintain same in its normal position.

There is a tendency, after considerable use of such instruments, for some of the parts, such as the pivots and rods, to have appreciable wear, thereby being less effective in operation. Furthermore, the tension of the wire spring commences to vary which results in improper biasing. Such alterations cause what is known as end and side play and result in leaky valves and, therefore, improper pitch or tone variances. Also, the wire spring is exposed and thereby susceptible to rusting or corrosion and i keys, rings and pads or valves associated with the instrument for altering the air column.

A further object of the invention is to provide in connection with musical instruments of the wind family improved means for mounting and tensioning the fulcrum rods and associated rings, keys and pads or valves which overcome the difficulties enumerated above.

Another object of the invention is to provide, as described in the penultimate paragraph, an improved tensioning means for maintaining keys, rings and pads or valves in their normal position which is readily adjustable so that the effectiveness of the tensioning means may be maintained throughout extended periods of use of the instruments.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide in apparatus of the type described improved means for mounting or suspending the fulcrum rods.

It is also an object of the invention to provide tension For example, the pitch 2,744,435 Patented May 8, 1956 means of the type described which is concealed and which may be permanently lubricated.

An object of the invention is to provide improved mounting and tensioning means for keys, pads and rings of a wind instrument which are assembled on a fulcrum rod in gang relationship.

Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide for wind instruments at fulcrum rod suspension and adjustable tension means which may be readily assembled, which is compact and which may be constructed at a reasonable expense.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein like numerals represent similar parts throughout and wherein:

Figure l is an elevational view, partly in section, illustrating one application of the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevational view illustrating a modified application of the invention;

Figure 4 is an enlarged elevational view, considerably in section, of yet another modified application of the invention; and

Figure 5 is an elevational view, considerably in section, of a fourth form of the invention.

It should be mentioned that the principles of this invention are being illustrated in connection with lever operated pads or valves which are normally biased to close ports or tone holes associated with the main air column in the tone tube or body of the musical instrument. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted in this sense, but instead is intended to encompass the tensioning and mounting of rings and keys and the like, these, as well as the pads, all being connected to a rod, either singularly or in multiples, which acts as the fulcrum.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 in particular, numeral 1 represents spaced apart posts 1 and 1 mounted in the usual manner on the instrument body B. Each post 1 and 1' comprises a base 2 and 2' and a head 3 and 3 and journaled or rockably mounted with respect to the latter is a rod 4 which acts as a fulcrum for a lever or key 5 and pad or valve member 6 having a head 7 for sealing and closing a tone hole (not shown) in the tube T of body B of the instrument. The defined structure is well known and in addition the prior art instruments include an integral lever depending from the rod 4 and engaged by one end of a steel spring which is anchored to one of the bases 2 or 2. It is this spring which tensions the rod 4, lever 5 and pad 6 so that normally the particular tone hole of tube T is closed by the head 7 due to the spring tension, but upon manually moving lever 5 the tension of the spring is overcome and the rod 4 and pad member 67 pivot to uncover the particular hole of tube T associated with head 7 and thereby the pitch or tonal characteristics of the instrument is varied.

The present invention includes means for mounting the rod 4, lever 5 and pad member 6 under adjustable spring tension preferably consisting of a torque spring 8 having a main body portion 9 of square or other suitable configuration and ends 11 and 11' preferably positioned at right angles and in a common direction with respect to the body 9 to form with portion 9 a pair of Us A substantially cylindrical insert 12. provided with a groove 13 for receiving end 11 is permanently anchored by welding or the like to the interior wall 14 of hollow rod 4. One of the heads 3 is provided with a concave cut-away or recess 15 for receiving a part of a spherical ball 16, said ball being preferably of a size approximately equal to the diameter of wall 14. Numeral 17 represents a coil spring having helically arranged convolutions and, as shown, the spring is compressed between wall 18 of insert 12 and the ball 16 to maintain the latter in position in the recess 15. Of course, in place of spring 17, other types of resilient means could be employed, such as natural or synthetic compressed rubber or pneumatic capsules of rubber or flexible plastic. A second insert 19 also is preferably welded adjacent one end of rod 4- and to the interior surface 14 thereof, insert 19 being hollow as at 21 and provided with concave cut-away area 22 for partially receiving spherical ball 23. Actually, the insert 19 and recess 15 provide bearings for balls 16 and 23, the latter being also received in a cut-away or recessed area 24 of a stud member 25. With such an arrangement the rod 4 is floatingly suspended by ball 16 and journaled for rotation or rocking movement between heads 3 and 3 by both balls.

Ball 23 is slotted at 26 and stud 25 is grooved at 27 to receive, respectively, part of body 9 and end 11' of torque spring 8. Head 3' has a threaded vertical aperture 23 for threadedly receiving a headless set screw 29, operable by any suitable means, such as an allen wrench and adapted to engage stud 25, the latter being transversely shiftable through and rotatable on slot 31 in head 3' by engagement in hexagonal-shaped recess 32 of stud 25 with an allen wrench. The various embodiments of this invention are all designed so that adjustments may be made with an allen wrench, but such is merely for convenience and uniformity.

In assembling the structure of Figure l, and more particularly the rod 4, the spring 17 is placed within the hollow rod and the convolution at one of its ends rests against the flat wall 18 of insert 12. Next, ball bearing 16, which is the floating bearing, is pressed into the rod to compress spring 17 and the rod is then slid or moved into position between heads 3 and 3', this action resulting in the ball 16 being forced'into place in recess 15. The torque spring 9, with ball 23 in place with respect thereto, is now passed through slot 21 and end 11 positioned in groove 13. Following this the stud 25 is positioned in slot 31 and manually manipulated by a wrench or the like until end 11' is received in groove 27 and recess 24 engages and is in effect journaled on ball 23. Rod 4 is now floatingly suspended by hearing 16 and journaled by both balls between heads 3 and 3.

By manually rotating stud 25 in the direction of the arrow of Figure 2, the spring 8 and rod 4 are carried thereby until head or pad 7 covers the hole of tube T and engages tube T. Continued rotation of stud 25 applies a tension by torque action on spring 8 due to movement of only end 11 and part of the body 9 with the stud 25 and when the desired adjusted tension on spring 8, rod 4 and the associated parts is obtained, then screw 29 is manipulated to lock the stud 25 in adjusted position.

To overcome this tension it is necessary to operate lever t or key to rotate rod 4 and pad 7 in a direction reverse to that of the arrow of Figure 2 and in doing such the head 7 is released from engaging or covering its associated hole of tube T and thereby the pitch or tone of the instrument may be varied.

It is believed apparent that with the mechanism described, the tension of the pad, ring or keys is readily adjustable and can be easily increased or diminished to meet the players individual demands. The ball bearing supports provide smoother and freer action and entirely eliminate end and side play. Further, the parts may be more or less permanently lubricated and are not open to corrosion or rust. It should be mentioned that the present invention is designed to be installable on commercially available instruments, as Well as newly constructed instruments.

Instead of welding or soldering the inserts 12 and 19 in position in the rod 4 as preferred, they may be anchored by set screws, friction pressure or clamps or any other suitable means. Similarly, the manner of anchoring or locking stud may be varied. As to the torque spring 8, the shape thereof is only illustrative as it could be designed to take the form of a twisted flat spring or a round or multi-sided spring. Preferably, the ball bearings, inserts, stud and springs are made of steel or similar material, but here again this is not limiting as such parts may be constructed of any suitable material.

On some wind instruments, such as the clarinet, the side keys on the upper joint and other parts of the instrument body are supported by rather short rods. In such instances, it is probably preferable to eliminate the ball bearing supports and employ instead a locked pressure stud bearing arrangement and in this connection reference is made to Figure 3 of the drawings. An insert 35 is permanently afiixed to the interior wall 14 of rod 4- and provided with a groove 36 in the direction of spring 37 for receiving end 38 and a spherical recess 39 for receiving and journaling a substantially cylindrically shaped stud member 41. The stud 41 is transversely movable in slot 42 of head 3 and screw means 43 is provided for locking the stud in position and the rounded end 44 thereof in recess 39. The spring 37 is built solidly or integrally, in any suitable manner, into a cylindrically shaped stud member 45 or anchored therein by any suitable means 46 and member 45 is shiftable transversely and rotatably in slot 47 of head 3' and adapted to be locked therein by means 29 after movement thereof by a wrench applied at 32'.

In assembling the structure of Figure 3, rod 4 is positioned between the heads 3 and 3 and stud 41 is then moved into slot 42 until end 44 is received in the concave socket 39. Next stud 45 is moved through slot 47 until end 38 is received in groove 36, whereupon the studs 41 and 45 are manipulated until rod 4 is journaled or rockably supported on the studs between heads 3 and 3 and the screw means 43 is tightened to lock stud 41 in position. Now the stud 45 is rotated until the pad of head member 6 engages the tube T, whereupon continued rotation of stud 45 applies tension of the desired amount, following which screw means 29 is moved to lock the stud 45 and the parts in adjusted position.

In some commercially available instruments, quite a plurality of keys or levers and pads are lined up together on a single rod between a pair of posts 1 and 1 and this is commonly referred to as a gang. The teachings of the present invention may be incorporated in such a gang arrangement by substituting What will be identified as a compound torque spring rod and in this connection reference is made to Figure 4. Between each post 1' and 1 and supported on the body B, by means to be hereinafter described, at spaced predetermined intervals are supplementary posts 56, 51 and 53, each having at their top, respectively, cylindrically hollow anchor sleeves 53, 54 and 55, said sleeves actually forming a part of the combined rod as will be hereinafter apparent. There are provided a plurality of jacks 56, 57, 58 and 59, each having, respectively, a main cylindrical portion 60, 61, 62 and 63, a reduced cylindrical male portion 64, 65, 66 and 67 each having an integrally mounted, preferably flat and of the shape of a screw driver head at least at the end opposite where integrally mounted, torque spring 68, 69, 70 and 71 extending therefrom. Numerals 72, 73, 74 and 75 represent hollow rod sections being mounted or journaled for rotation about portions 60, 61, 62 and 63, respectively, and portions of jack plugs to be described, and between their respective sleeves or a sleeve and head 3 or 3'. Within the interior of each rod section 72, 73, 74 and 75, respectively, are a plurality of plugs having a cylindrical portion 76, 77, 78 or 79. Each plug is also provided with a female socket for journaling a jack reduced male portion 64, 65, 66 or 67 and with a drilled area for receiving a torque spring, the sockets, respectively, being identified by numerals 86, 81, 82 and 83 and the areas by 84, 85, 86 and 87. Preferably each torque spring 68, 69, 70 and 71 is round, except at the end which is secured in areas 84, 85, 86 and 87, said end being flat for a purpose which should appear obvious and, of course, each spring may assume other configurations. A common or combined opening 100, 101, 102 and 103 is provided in each plug and rod section for receiving adjustable screw means 104, 105, 106 and 107, whereby when the screw means is inserted the respective plug and rod section are locked together for common movement.

As shown, jack 57 is journaled with plug portion 76 at 88, jack 58 with plug 77 at 89, jack 59 with plug 78 at 91 and an additional plug member 92 is journaled with plug 79 at 93. Plug 92, of cylindrical shape, is rotatably and transversely slidably mounted in slot 94 of head 3 and this adjustment may be made by a wrench engaged in socket 95, the plug 92 being adapted to be held or locked in adjusted position by screw 108. Referring to jack 56, this is rotatably and slidably mounted in slot 109 of head 3 by engaging a tool with recess 111 and adapted to be maintained in adjusted position by screw 112. To lock the jacks 57, 58 and 59 in the rotatably adjusted position, there is provided suitable means such as screws 96, 97 and 98 and, although the heads thereof are shown to be raised from sleeves 53, 54 and 55, preferably they should be designed to be flush therewith.

Now, the structure of Figure 4 has its principal use in connection with application of the tongue spring to gang assemblies of already manufactured instruments. However, it should be borne in mind that newly constructed instruments would preferably include in the gang the design of Figure 5, rather than a compound rod with jacks and plugs as shown in Figure 4.

As to the assembly of the structure of Figure 4 to existing instruments, each section is assembled separately. For example, the stud 92 is positioned in recess 94 and locked therein by screw means 108. Next, the post 52, rod section 75, jack 59 and plug 79 are positioned as shown with the post 52 being loosely mounted or supported with respect to body B or previously made integral thereto by any suitable means, the latter being preferred. Following this, screw means 107 is applied so that rod section 75 and plug 79 are integrally connected and then a tool is inserted in female socket 113 and used to rotate the jack 59 in the rotation of the arrow. Due to the spring 71 being flattened at least at the end thereof received in area 87, similar rotation is imparted to plug 79 and rod section 75 until the pad 7" associated with rod 75 strikes its tone tube (not shown), whereupon continued rotation of jack 59 applies the desired tension on spring 71 and the associated pad 7". Now, the screw 98 is operated to lock the jack 59 in adjusted position and the rod section 75 is journaled between sleeve 55 and head 3 and normally biased so that the pad 7" associated with key 5 normally closes the particular tone hole. Parts 74, 78, 58 and 54 and parts 77, 57, 73 and 53 are similarly assembled, one group at a time, and finally plug 76 and jack 60 are positioned as shown (the rod section 72 having been positioned in place during assembly of the previous section) and the tool inserted in slot 111 to adjust the tension prior to looking with screw 112. When this is completed, the rod sections 72, 73, 74 and 75 are properly journaled and they, together with keys 5, 5', 5" and 5", have been adjusted for desired torque tension. In the event it is desired not to integrally afiix supplementary posts 50, 51 and 52 to body B, some sort of suitable stop means may be provided on body B against which the posts are urged and maintained when tension is applied to the various parts during assembly. It is to be noted that areas 84, 85, 86 and 87 are of greater length than the part of the springs that extends therein, but this is for the purpose of permitting the use of different sized springs in the areas if such is desired.

Preferably, the torque principle would be applied to the gang, especially in connection with newly manufactured instruments, by applying between the terminal posts 1 and 1 arrangements similar to the teachings of Figure 5.

Assuming, for convenience in illustration, that the gang only included two keys and pads, a single post as illustrated in Figure 5 could be installed between terminal posts 1 and 1 and it should be readily obvious how additional such posts may be incorporated in a larger gang. Numerals and 121 represent the rod sections and numeral 122 the supplementary post integrally afiixed to the instrument body and having the head 123. The sections 120 and 121 are partially journaled between post heads on stud 124 which is rotatably positioned in bore 125 of the head 123. The head is also provided with a slot 126 through which may pass a removable tool 127 of any suitable type, said tool being engageable in a slot or recess 128 of stud 124. Integrally extending from each side of stud 124 are torque springs 129, each having an angled end 130 affixed or engageable in a slot of a member similar to element 35 of Figure 3, the latter being integrally affixed to the interior wall 120. Also extending through the head 123 and engageable with stud 124 is a set screw 131 which is for the purpose of maintaining stud 124 locked in its adjusted position.

The operation of Figure 5 is believed to be obvious, but briefly: After the parts are positioned as shown, the tool 127 is inserted in the recess 12.8 and the stud 124 rotated until the desired tension is obtained on the torque springs 129, and thereafter the set screw 131 is manipulated to lock the stud in place. If it were desirable to have the adjusted tension on each rod section ditferent, then this could be accomplished by varying the size of the torque springs 129. In tire event it is not readily apparent, an arrangement such as parts 41, 42, 43, 2 and 3 of Figure 3 could be applied at the broken away areas of Figure 5.

In the claims the phrase valve means is intended to include pads or valves and rings normally included in wind instruments in connection with which the present invention is applicable.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure of the several embodiments. Examples of other advantages are (l) the various operative parts are concealed within the rods and posts and this is of esthetic and practical value because it improves the appearance of the instrument and permits easy cleaning of the instrument without the trouble usually encountered with conventional needle springs, and 2) the fact that no stresses, such as that of the prior art needle spring, is applied to the various posts. it will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed with reference to other features and subcombinations and this is contemplated by is within the scope of the claims. As many alterations may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A musical instrument or" the wind family comprising a tubular-like body having at least one hole therein, at least a pair of posts mounted in spaced relation on said body, a hollow rod ,iournaled and rockably supported between said posts, said rod having connected thereto for movement therewith valve means adapted for cooperation with the hole, means v ithin the hollow rod for tensioning the rod and valve means whereby an adjusted bias is provided to maintain the valve means in its normal position with respect to the hole, and manually operated means for rocking said rod and valve means to overcome said bias.

2. A musical instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein said tensioning means includes a torque spring.

3. A musical instrument as defined in claim 2 wherein at least one of said posts has a stud-like member rotatably 7 mounted thereon, part of said torque spring being connected for movement with said member, and means to locksaid stud member in the desired rotated position.

4. A musical instrument as defined in claim 3 wherein another part of said torque spring is connected for movement with said rod.

5. In a musical instrument of the wind family including a tubular-like body having at least one tone hole therein, at least a pair of posts mounted in spaced relation on said body, the combination comprising a hollow rod journaled and rockably supported between said posts, said rod having connected thereto for movement therewith valve means adapted for cooperation with the tone hole, means within the hollow rod for tensioning the rod and valve means whereby an adjusted bias is provided to maintain the valve means in its normal position with respect to the tone hole, and manually operated means for rocking said rod and valve means to overcome said bias.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said tensioning means includes a torque spring.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the rod is journaled between said posts by ball bearings.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein one of said posts is provided with a concave recess for receiving one of said balls and spring means within said rod for urging said one ball into said recess.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein one of said posts has a stud-like member rotatably mounted thereon, one end of said torque spring being connected for movement with said member and the other end of said spring being connected for movement with said rod, and means to loci; the stud member in the desired rotated position.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the other of said posts is provided with a slot, 21 second stud-like member adjustably mounted in said last named slot and said second member being provided with an extension about which part of the rod is journaled.

11. In a musical instrument of the wind family including a tubular-like body having at least a pair of tone holes therein, a pair of primary posts mounted'in spaced relation on said body, the combination comprising at least one supplementary post between said primary posts, a hollow rod section journaled and rockably supported between the supplementary post and each primary post, each of said sections having connected thereto for movement therewith valve means adapted for cooperation with a tone hole, means within each section for tensioning the section and its valve means whereby an adjusted bias is provided to maintain each valve means in its normal position with respect to a tone hole, and manually operated means for rocking each rod section and valve means to overcome said bias.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein eac of said tensioning means includes a torque spring.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein one end of each spring is connected for movement with a rod section, a stud-like member mounted for rotation on at least one of said posts, and the other end of each spring being connected for movement with a stud member.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein a studlike member is mounted for rotation on the supplementary post, one end of each spring being connected for movement with the member and the other end of each spring being connected to a rod section, and means to lock said stud member in a desired rotated position. v

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein a plurality of cooperating jacks and plugs are positioned within the rod sections and connected to the posts.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein each spring extends from a jack and the plugs are connected for movement with the rod sections.

No references cited. 

